The Natural Genius of Ants

By: Betty Culley

Narrated by: Alejandro Ruiz

A summer ant farm grows into a learning experience for the entire family in this lyrical coming-of-age story from the award-winning author of Down to Earth.

"Endearingly executed, this gentle tale will see readers applauding as they reach the end.” –Booklist, Starred Review

Harvard is used to his father coming home from the hospital and telling him about all the babies he helped. But since he made the mistake at work, Dad has been quieter than usual. And now he is taking Harvard and his little brother, Roger, to Kettle Hole, Maine, for the summer. Harvard hopes this trip isn’t another mistake.

In the small town where he grew up, Dad seems more himself. Especially once the family decides to start an ant farm—just like Dad had as a kid! But when the mail-order ants are D.O.A., Harvard doesn't want Dad to experience any more sadness. Luckily, his new friend Neveah has the brilliant idea to use the ants crawling around the kitchen instead. But these insects don't come with directions. So the kids have a lot to learn—about the ants, each other, and how to forgive ourselves when things go wrong.

©2022 Betty Culley (P)2022 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Endearingly executed, this gentle tale will see readers applauding as they reach the end." —Booklist, starred review

"Quietly and emotionally intelligent, this tale satisfies." —Kirkus Reviews

"This hopeful story that explores the reality of hardship and mistakes amid themes of forgiveness and resilience.” —Publishers Weekly

Mistakes happen

This is a valuable book about learning to deal with mistakes, big and small, told in an engaging manner from a bright young boy's perspective. It is very well-written and absorbing. I didn't give it five stars, because I never understood the sub-plot around smoking, and I think Harvard should have over heard more from his parents about what the mistake was, perhaps even a cathartic argument, as I feel that could have helped in the long-term healing process. I don't mean loads of details, but enough so that an adult could help a child reading the book have more of an understanding. As it was, there is not full certainty that there will be a complete or near complete recovery. I just felt there were aspects like this missing. But other "sub plots" were dealt with well, such as the financial and medical needs of the primary friends/neighbors and the underlying adventure with the ants. There are many wonderful factors in the book, and I would recommend it warmly to almost all ages.

I wasn't positive I would enjoy listening to the main character, Harvard, but I adjusted to him, and the story really draws you along, as a recording.